by MARSHALL BONE
How do you feel about your kitchen? Most of us can answer that question with a mixed response. There are things we like and things we want to change.
For the latter component, changes come in all sizes and shapes. Maybe you just want to improve efficiency when you cook. Maybe you want a whole new color scheme.
Regardless, kitchen remodeling is often the first thing we consider. That’s a great option and will certainly add new vitality to your kitchen. However, if you want to take a more affordable option, you can still inject life into your kitchen without a major remodel. Below, you’ll find ideas to help you upgrade your kitchen on a budget.
Furniture
One of the easiest ways to transform a kitchen employs furniture in open spaces. Naturally, this works best in an open kitchen design, but anywhere you have space for a furniture addition, you can consider the option.
As an example, you can use a small dresser for extra storage and counter space. You can aim for something specific and add a small, rolling island that increases cooking space. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you could build your own custom hutch or coffee bar.
The trick is to find a space you want to use. Then, you can check garage sales or furniture sales to find the right piece for the job. Don’t shy away from a little bit of restoration work. Sandpaper and some paint can revitalize your new furniture for a small investment. If you’re a little nervous, a quick guide on color and style might help.
Cabinetry
Adding or replacing cabinets provides one of the most common ways to transform a kitchen, and you can certainly take that route. The problem is that cabinets are often expensive.
If you really want to save money, you have two other options.
First, you can revitalize your existing cabinets. Remember that tip about sandpaper and paint? It works on cabinets too.
If you want an even bigger transformation, get rid of the old cabinets and replace them with open shelving. It creates an open space, completely changes the aesthetic of the kitchen, and in many cases, you will increase your usable storage space.
Water
Stepping away from aesthetics, improving your water game changes how you feel about your kitchen. You can replace a faucet or sink. A simple faucet change goes a long way, but you can invest in a highly functional sink that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
New sinks add things like a vegetable washing waterfall, built-in drying racks, fitted colanders, and more. It’s worth at least looking at some of your sink options.
Another route you can take is installing filtered water right there at the sink. Reverse osmosis creates the cleanest water you can get in most homes. It improves water taste and quality, revitalizing your kitchen through functionality.
A reverse osmosis filtration system fits right under the sink and puts pure, clean, tasty water on demand.
Decor
Focusing exclusively on aesthetics, a little color goes a long way. Many kitchen remodels utilize artistic backsplashes to create a strong aesthetic change, and that’s certainly viable.
If you want an even more affordable option, wallpaper, pictures, or some colorful wall art can all achieve similar goals.
Find places where you aren’t worried about cooking splatter, and add visuals that you like. That’s really all it takes.
Filling Space
Particularly if you feel like your kitchen is too small, filling space gives you the most bang for your buck. There are probably a few nooks and crannies that could hold more storage, and the perfect example is around your refrigerator.
Fridges take up a lot of room, but unless you have a custom appliance, they are not fitted directly for each kitchen. Usually, you’ll find space on the sides and above the fridge.
Put some cabinets in that space to create additional storage with no additional footprint.
As always, if you’re avoiding cabinets for any reason, shelves work great too. You probably already put some stuff on top of your fridge. Add a little organization up there in the form of shelves or racks.
On the side, you can use shelves, or hang a spice rack. Find a way to use the space, and you will get more out of your kitchen.
Flooring
Sometimes, looking down shows you where you can change your kitchen most efficiently. New floors are often easier to keep clean — to say nothing of the beauty they add to a kitchen.
The good news is that you don’t have to use the most expensive hardwood to create an amazing kitchen. Modern materials can look like whatever you want — hitting every color palette — while still saving money on your budget. If they’re easy to maintain on top of that, you’re just hitting the jackpot.
Flooring is a big topic, so you’ll want to take your time to shop around and find what suits you best.
Lighting
If looking down didn’t inspire you, look up. You don’t need a new ceiling. Instead, some lighting changes often provide the most powerful impact with the least amount of physical change. You can replace some lighting fixtures (or add fixtures) to change everything about the kitchen.
Start with function over form. If there are any dark corners in your kitchen that make cooking or cleaning unnecessarily challenging, add some strategic LED lights. Beyond that, look for fixtures that you like. In many cases, simply upgrading from older lighting systems to modern LEDs provides the transformation you seek.
These tips can get you started, but creativity is still king. Think about what you really want, and break it down. Are you more worried about form or function? How can you get the most out of what you already have? From there, target one thing at a time, and you will find yourself loving a new kitchen with each affordable change.
Marshall Bone is a writer, copy strategist and all-around stylish guy who has been following trends in GQ for more than two decades. Voted best-dressed both his junior and senior year, Bone has continued this legacy and can be found covering various topics from men’s fashion to self care and grooming. He enjoys reading and is based in the greater Los Angeles area.
